Liverpool against Galatasaray

Crouch leaves the pitch to a standing ovation - he is replaced by Craig Bellamy

Corner for Liverpool - they are in no rush to take it!

A poor punch from Reina, but the keeper is lucky that it falls to Finnan who hooks clear

Challenges flying in as Liverpool try to wrest control of the game and ensure they don't throw the points away

Yellow card for Finnan

There's a certain irony here: Liverpool won the European Cup in Turkey after being 3-0 down. Tonight Liverpool went 3-0 up against Turkish opposition and nearly threw it away... Ok, so it's not irony, but you see the point... maybe. I'll shut up.

Five minutes to go for Galatasaray to steal a point

Aurelio hits a freekick into the wall

Gonzalez limping - looks to have tweaked his hamstring

Yellow card for Sas after he almost touched Sissoko. Weak.

Hasan Sas clips a nice ball into the Liverpool area but it is headed clear and Liverool break

Alonso gets a booking for a late charge on Arda to halt a promising move

The Turkish team not beaten yet as we move towards the final act of the game

Now Sabri and Ilic combine to carve Liverpool open

Sas links up with Suker - looking good

Suker puts the ball wide - only a half chance

You have to wonder why Liverpool didn't bring on Sissoko when they were cruising at 3-0 and the game was in the bag, but getting too open in the centre?

A change for Liverpool - goodnight Pennant, hello Sissoko

Arda robs Finnan and breaks up a decent move from Liverpool

Agger hooks a ball out for a throw rather than risk controlling it and letting Suker in; percentage football.

Crouch and Song are taking treatment after clashing heads in the area - both look a little groggy but should be ok

Liverpool fail to make the most of two quick crosses into the box: The first came from Aurelio was a peach.

The noise in Anfield is being whipped up - not by the Kop, but the hitherto silenced travelling fans

Gonzalez and Gerrard try to link up a training ground set play with the corner: The ball was knocked towards the edge fo the area for Gerrard to lash home... only the ball was over hit leaving Gerrard with no chance and the ball to almost go out for a corner

Song gives away a corner after catching the ball full in the face

Liverpool must be furious to have thrown such a good start and dominant position away. The Reds are nervous - and the game should be deda nd buried!

Agger earns his money with a great header to clear the danger from another great ball from Sabri, who has been superb all night

Ilic nearly threads aball through to Karan - danger for Liverpool

Garcia flicks the ball into the path of Gerrard who fires a shot across the goal

Why has Rafa brought on a striker when the problem is in midfield? Surely with Galatasaray back in the game and threatening the integrity of the Liverpool middle brining on Sissoko would make more sense?

Gonzalez is on in place of Kuyt

Suker, Ilic and Sabri combine to create another goal for Umit Kahn - he evaded Agger and Carragher to head home and make it 3-2. Game on!

Goal to Galatasaray!

Looks like Benitez is going to bring on Mark 'Speedy' Gonzalez

A communication breakdown between Reina and Finnan leads to a throw-in for the visitors - concentrate chaps!

Will Rafa think about a change? With a tird of the game still to go and Galatasaray on a high perhaps a change in formation or personel might stymie the Turkish side's attacking intent

The goal has given Galatasaray belief - they feel the game is not beyond them, Liverpool have to be careful that they don't make any mistakes

3-1 to Liverpool - it's not over yet. Umit Karan, a halftime sub for the visitors headed home a cross from the left wing to give the Turks hope

Goal for Galatasaray!

At the other end Suker is in the area trying to hold up play - the game is very open

What a game! Kuyt hit's the post and Gerrard is unlucky to fail to hammer home the rebound!

In the scramble after Sabri's freekick there were calls for a penalty with Galarasaray claiming a handball; I did'nt see it and nor did the ref!

Sabri whips his freekick around the wall and hits the post - Suker is on hand to fire the rebound on goal but it is blocked

Freekick to Galatasaray in a central position 35 yards out.

The crowd amazed by the skill of Crouch, it was a wonder goal!

Finnan delivered a great ball from the right wing and found the striker unmarked in the area. Crouch kept his eye on the ball before performing a perfect, acrobatic scissors-kick leaving Mondragon with no chance - Brilliant goal!

Goal to Liverpool - amazing goal from Peter Crouch!

Song clatters into Gerrard - clumsy foul

And of course Liverpool won the European Cup at the Ataturk Stadium to seasons ago, so they'll be happy to return there

It's not a bad idea, but the hostile atmosphere is often an 12th man for Galatasaray on European nights, much like the Anfield fans are for Liverpool

Liverpool will be spared a trip to 'Hell', the ever-so sweet name the Galatasaray fans give to their Ali Sami Yen Stadium; their Champions League games are being played at the Ataturk Stadium to make more money from tickets

Finnan and Pennant try to cook something up down the right wing, but the final ball is no good

Liverpool start the second half with the same attacking intent as they did the first

Back underway at Anfield

Keep it here to find out how these two side approach the second half.

Two early goals from Liverpool threatened a deluge, but the home team eased back in an effort to protect their lead. As a result Galatasaray grew in confidence as the half wore on, Sabri particularly find some joy down the right.

Liverpool 2-0 up at halftime.

Galatasaray waste the last chance of the half - a freekick was hopefully dropped into the Liverpool area and easily cleared.

Brilliant defending from Finnan; winning two headers in a row and running 20 yards to do so. Not spectacular stuff, but tireless working and comfortably done

Suker drops Agger and is just inches away from connecting with a Ayhan cross from the left

More energetic work down the right from Sabri - Galatasaray's best player so far this evening

Credit where it's due: Galatasaray have grown in confidence and are back in the game, albeit because Liverpool have taken a pragmatic approach to the game after taking a 2-0 lead

Sabri tries his luck with a snap-shot - Suker waves his arms in frustration that no cross came. It was a decent shot and given the lack of chances from decent crosses so far you can't blame Sabri for chancing his arm

Pennant looks a little sluggish tonight - he just failed to get by a lumbering centre-half when he really ought to have skipped by him

The Galatasaray midfield almost paid the price for allowing Gerrard to rampage unchecked through the centre of the pitch - not a great idea!

Mondragon saves from a Gerrard piledriver - the shot from range swerved dangerously but the keeper turned the ball away with his arm; good swerve

Arda, Suker and Sabri link-up well and create an interesting opening for Galatasaray - sadly for them no striker gambled on the cross and Liverpool escape

A very silly backwards header from fomer Liverpool man Rigobert Song nearly leads to chance for Kuyt, but keeper Mondragon was quick to race off his line and clear the danger

Not content with being booked Ayhan has a few words in the referee's ear, and is lucky not to get a second booking for his troubles - frustration creeping into the Galatasaray side?

Yellow card for Ayhan Akman for a silly though not malicious foul.

Pennant finds Alonso who chips a ball to Kuyt who lays the ball to Garcia who fires a shot high and wide with the outside of his boot - a nice move

Sabri takes and Gerrard clears to Pennant who forges forward

Cihan and Sabri find a gap in the Liverpool defence and win a corner

Liverpool are allowing the Turkish side to enjoy a spell of possession, but are pressing them back and not allowing them to probe any dangerous areas

Garcia concedes a foul after taking a liking to Sasa Ilic's shirt - the collar almost ended up as a souvenier after the Liverpool man refused to let go!

Aurelio makes up for the freekick with a spirited run and dangerous ball across the front of goal which neither Crouch nor Kuyt read quickly enouch

Aurelio fails to deliver a good ball from a freekick deep in the Galatasary half - unliek teh cross for the opening goal

It could be that Liverpool have taken their foot off the gas after taking such a commanding early lead - a risky ploy

Sabri looking lively - grabbing the ball and moving it around with menace

Suker looks to the skies after a poor cross means that a decent attacking move down the left wing comes to naught - signs that Galatasaray are finding their feet in the game

A lucky escape for Liverpool and Garcia. The goal-scorer lost concentration and allowed Cihan Haspolatli to ghost behind him and run in on goal before unleashing a low shot which Reina parried

For the neutral the game needs a decent spell or shot from the visitors otherwise the game could become a procession

The Galatasaray fans are strangely quiet - the two goals seem to have shut them up.

Liverpool respond with a lightening paced counter-attack which end with kuyt failing to control with his chest a difficult, deep cross

Decent move by Galatasaray ends without a serious threat on goal - just a warning there that they are capable

The Kop sing the name of 'Steve Gerrard, Gerrard' - they are in fine voice, and at 2-0 up against a supposedly tricky opponent you can see why

If Galatasaray expect to get anything out of this game the need to dig themselves back into things; at the moment that seems unlikely as Liverpool pick them apart

The Galatasaray team look a little shell-shocked. After a decent spell of possession Liverpool ripped the Turks to bits with ease. A truly woeful clearance led to the goal, and you sense more moments like that could yet be in store.

Pennant made the goal by clipping a little ball back from the by-line and finding Garcia unmarked at the back post where he heading comfortably home.

2-0 Liverpool - Garcia on target!

Pennant does well to win a throw after Gerrard hit a heavy pass to the winger

Galatasaray work the ball to Sabri on the right wing, the midfielder then loops in a dangerous ball, but Hakan Suker was just too slow to react and Liverpool clear.

This is the first time in the game some of the Turkish players have touched the ball as they keep possession and try to find a way through the Liverpool middle

Stung by the goal Galatasaray start to move the ball about with some purpose and vigour

Pulling the strings Steven Gerrard spread play to the left wing and Fabio Aurellio. The Brazilia ran down the flank before delivering a grerat cross which Crouch met with his foot to beat the keeper. Great move, great goal.

Goal for Liverpool - and it's that man Peter Crouch!

Slightly wasteful play by Pennant who failed to thread a pass to Finnan who had run 70 yards to offer support - instead Pennant tried to beat another man, much to Finnan's frustration!

The build-up to Garcia shot was very neat, with Gerrard finding Crouch with a probing ball before the striker laid it of to the Spaniard

Agger jumps highest to meet the corner, but the direction was lacking and the visitors can breathe easily

Liverpool waste the first corner, but quickly win another as the pressure builds

Corner for Liverpool after a good shot from Luis Garcia is spilt by the keeper

Respite for Galatasaray as they get two throw-ins in the Liverpool half

Topa; just just enough to prevent Gerrard from unleashing a shot on goal after a neat link up with Kuyt.

Liverpool seem intent on playing an expansive, attaking game tonight - the defenders are taking a very high line, pressing the midfield and forwards into advanced positions.

A very positive opening from Liverpool who benefit from the kind of home support only on offer from the Anfield fans on a European night

Alonso and Gerrard play it short before clipping a ball in aimed at the lanky frame of Crouch

An early corner for Liverpool

Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo blows his whistle and we are underway at Anfield.

And for Galatasaray: Mondragon, Haspolatli, Tomas, Song, Ak, Sarioglu, Topal, Akman, Turan, Ilic, Sukur. And keeping the bench warm: Elmas, Buruk, Sas, Carrusca, Asik, Kabze, Karan.

Here's the Liverpool squad for tonight's game: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Kuyt, Crouch. On the subs bench: Dudek, Hyypia,Riise, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Sissoko, Zenden.

Suker puts the ball wide - only a half chance

You have to wonder why Liverpool didn't bring on Sissoko when they were cruising at 3-0 and the game was in the bag, but getting too open in the centre?

A change for Liverpool - goodnight Pennant, hello Sissoko

Arda robs Finnan and breaks up a decent move from Liverpool

Agger hooks a ball out for a throw rather than risk controlling it and letting Suker in; percentage football.

Crouch and Song are taking treatment after clashing heads in the area - both look a little groggy but should be ok

Liverpool fail to make the most of two quick crosses into the box: The first came from Aurelio was a peach.

The noise in Anfield is being whipped up - not by the Kop, but the hitherto silenced travelling fans

Gonzalez and Gerrard try to link up a training ground set play with the corner: The ball was knocked towards the edge fo the area for Gerrard to lash home... only the ball was over hit leaving Gerrard with no chance and the ball to almost go out for a corner

Song gives away a corner after catching the ball full in the face

Liverpool must be furious to have thrown such a good start and dominant position away. The Reds are nervous - and the game should be deda nd buried!

Agger earns his money with a great header to clear the danger from another great ball from Sabri, who has been superb all night

Ilic nearly threads aball through to Karan - danger for Liverpool

Garcia flicks the ball into the path of Gerrard who fires a shot across the goal

Why has Rafa brought on a striker when the problem is in midfield? Surely with Galatasaray back in the game and threatening the integrity of the Liverpool middle brining on Sissoko would make more sense?

Gonzalez is on in place of Kuyt

Suker, Ilic and Sabri combine to create another goal for Umit Kahn - he evaded Agger and Carragher to head home and make it 3-2. Game on!

Goal to Galatasaray!

Looks like Benitez is going to bring on Mark 'Speedy' Gonzalez

A communication breakdown between Reina and Finnan leads to a throw-in for the visitors - concentrate chaps!

Will Rafa think about a change? With a tird of the game still to go and Galatasaray on a high perhaps a change in formation or personel might stymie the Turkish side's attacking intent

The goal has given Galatasaray belief - they feel the game is not beyond them, Liverpool have to be careful that they don't make any mistakes

3-1 to Liverpool - it's not over yet. Umit Karan, a halftime sub for the visitors headed home a cross from the left wing to give the Turks hope

Goal for Galatasaray!

At the other end Suker is in the area trying to hold up play - the game is very open

What a game! Kuyt hit's the post and Gerrard is unlucky to fail to hammer home the rebound!

In the scramble after Sabri's freekick there were calls for a penalty with Galarasaray claiming a handball; I did'nt see it and nor did the ref!

Sabri whips his freekick around the wall and hits the post - Suker is on hand to fire the rebound on goal but it is blocked

Freekick to Galatasaray in a central position 35 yards out.

The crowd amazed by the skill of Crouch, it was a wonder goal!

Finnan delivered a great ball from the right wing and found the striker unmarked in the area. Crouch kept his eye on the ball before performing a perfect, acrobatic scissors-kick leaving Mondragon with no chance - Brilliant goal!

Goal to Liverpool - amazing goal from Peter Crouch!

Song clatters into Gerrard - clumsy foul

And of course Liverpool won the European Cup at the Ataturk Stadium to seasons ago, so they'll be happy to return there

It's not a bad idea, but the hostile atmosphere is often an 12th man for Galatasaray on European nights, much like the Anfield fans are for Liverpool

Liverpool will be spared a trip to 'Hell', the ever-so sweet name the Galatasaray fans give to their Ali Sami Yen Stadium; their Champions League games are being played at the Ataturk Stadium to make more money from tickets

Finnan and Pennant try to cook something up down the right wing, but the final ball is no good

Liverpool start the second half with the same attacking intent as they did the first

Back underway at Anfield

Keep it here to find out how these two side approach the second half.

Two early goals from Liverpool threatened a deluge, but the home team eased back in an effort to protect their lead. As a result Galatasaray grew in confidence as the half wore on, Sabri particularly find some joy down the right.

Liverpool 2-0 up at halftime.

Galatasaray waste the last chance of the half - a freekick was hopefully dropped into the Liverpool area and easily cleared.

Brilliant defending from Finnan; winning two headers in a row and running 20 yards to do so. Not spectacular stuff, but tireless working and comfortably done

Suker drops Agger and is just inches away from connecting with a Ayhan cross from the left

More energetic work down the right from Sabri - Galatasaray's best player so far this evening

Credit where it's due: Galatasaray have grown in confidence and are back in the game, albeit because Liverpool have taken a pragmatic approach to the game after taking a 2-0 lead

Sabri tries his luck with a snap-shot - Suker waves his arms in frustration that no cross came. It was a decent shot and given the lack of chances from decent crosses so far you can't blame Sabri for chancing his arm

Pennant looks a little sluggish tonight - he just failed to get by a lumbering centre-half when he really ought to have skipped by him

The Galatasaray midfield almost paid the price for allowing Gerrard to rampage unchecked through the centre of the pitch - not a great idea!

Mondragon saves from a Gerrard piledriver - the shot from range swerved dangerously but the keeper turned the ball away with his arm; good swerve

Arda, Suker and Sabri link-up well and create an interesting opening for Galatasaray - sadly for them no striker gambled on the cross and Liverpool escape

A very silly backwards header from fomer Liverpool man Rigobert Song nearly leads to chance for Kuyt, but keeper Mondragon was quick to race off his line and clear the danger

Not content with being booked Ayhan has a few words in the referee's ear, and is lucky not to get a second booking for his troubles - frustration creeping into the Galatasaray side?

Yellow card for Ayhan Akman for a silly though not malicious foul.

Pennant finds Alonso who chips a ball to Kuyt who lays the ball to Garcia who fires a shot high and wide with the outside of his boot - a nice move

Sabri takes and Gerrard clears to Pennant who forges forward

Cihan and Sabri find a gap in the Liverpool defence and win a corner

Liverpool are allowing the Turkish side to enjoy a spell of possession, but are pressing them back and not allowing them to probe any dangerous areas

Garcia concedes a foul after taking a liking to Sasa Ilic's shirt - the collar almost ended up as a souvenier after the Liverpool man refused to let go!

Aurelio makes up for the freekick with a spirited run and dangerous ball across the front of goal which neither Crouch nor Kuyt read quickly enouch

Aurelio fails to deliver a good ball from a freekick deep in the Galatasary half - unliek teh cross for the opening goal

It could be that Liverpool have taken their foot off the gas after taking such a commanding early lead - a risky ploy

Sabri looking lively - grabbing the ball and moving it around with menace

Suker looks to the skies after a poor cross means that a decent attacking move down the left wing comes to naught - signs that Galatasaray are finding their feet in the game

A lucky escape for Liverpool and Garcia. The goal-scorer lost concentration and allowed Cihan Haspolatli to ghost behind him and run in on goal before unleashing a low shot which Reina parried

For the neutral the game needs a decent spell or shot from the visitors otherwise the game could become a procession

The Galatasaray fans are strangely quiet - the two goals seem to have shut them up.

Liverpool respond with a lightening paced counter-attack which end with kuyt failing to control with his chest a difficult, deep cross

Decent move by Galatasaray ends without a serious threat on goal - just a warning there that they are capable

The Kop sing the name of 'Steve Gerrard, Gerrard' - they are in fine voice, and at 2-0 up against a supposedly tricky opponent you can see why

If Galatasaray expect to get anything out of this game the need to dig themselves back into things; at the moment that seems unlikely as Liverpool pick them apart

The Galatasaray team look a little shell-shocked. After a decent spell of possession Liverpool ripped the Turks to bits with ease. A truly woeful clearance led to the goal, and you sense more moments like that could yet be in store.

Pennant made the goal by clipping a little ball back from the by-line and finding Garcia unmarked at the back post where he heading comfortably home.

2-0 Liverpool - Garcia on target!

Pennant does well to win a throw after Gerrard hit a heavy pass to the winger

Galatasaray work the ball to Sabri on the right wing, the midfielder then loops in a dangerous ball, but Hakan Suker was just too slow to react and Liverpool clear.

This is the first time in the game some of the Turkish players have touched the ball as they keep possession and try to find a way through the Liverpool middle

Stung by the goal Galatasaray start to move the ball about with some purpose and vigour

Pulling the strings Steven Gerrard spread play to the left wing and Fabio Aurellio. The Brazilia ran down the flank before delivering a grerat cross which Crouch met with his foot to beat the keeper. Great move, great goal.

Goal for Liverpool - and it's that man Peter Crouch!

Slightly wasteful play by Pennant who failed to thread a pass to Finnan who had run 70 yards to offer support - instead Pennant tried to beat another man, much to Finnan's frustration!

The build-up to Garcia shot was very neat, with Gerrard finding Crouch with a probing ball before the striker laid it of to the Spaniard

Agger jumps highest to meet the corner, but the direction was lacking and the visitors can breathe easily

Liverpool waste the first corner, but quickly win another as the pressure builds

Corner for Liverpool after a good shot from Luis Garcia is spilt by the keeper

Respite for Galatasaray as they get two throw-ins in the Liverpool half

Topa; just just enough to prevent Gerrard from unleashing a shot on goal after a neat link up with Kuyt.

Liverpool seem intent on playing an expansive, attaking game tonight - the defenders are taking a very high line, pressing the midfield and forwards into advanced positions.

A very positive opening from Liverpool who benefit from the kind of home support only on offer from the Anfield fans on a European night

Alonso and Gerrard play it short before clipping a ball in aimed at the lanky frame of Crouch

An early corner for Liverpool

Spanish referee Luis Medina Cantalejo blows his whistle and we are underway at Anfield.

And for Galatasaray: Mondragon, Haspolatli, Tomas, Song, Ak, Sarioglu, Topal, Akman, Turan, Ilic, Sukur. And keeping the bench warm: Elmas, Buruk, Sas, Carrusca, Asik, Kabze, Karan.

Here's the Liverpool squad for tonight's game: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Kuyt, Crouch. On the subs bench: Dudek, Hyypia,Riise, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Sissoko, Zenden.